Last Updated: 04 January 2023
Subjects for Normal (Academic) course
Normal (Academic) is a 4-year or 5-year course leading to the GCE N-Level examination in Secondary 4. Some students go on to take the GCE O-Level examination in Secondary 5, and progress to junior college, Millennia Institute, Polytechnic or Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
Subjects
Students in Normal (Academic) course study a set of compulsory subjects and can offer optional subjects (also known as electives) at the upper secondary level (Secondary 3 onwards).
Compulsory subjects include English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, Science and the Humanities.
Optional subjects are wide-ranging, and further nurture your child’s abilities. Some schools also offer applied subjects such as Computing, Exercise and Sports Science and Drama.
As schools may offer different subjects and programmes, you should choose a school that would cater to your child’s strengths and interests.
Applied subjects
Some schools also offer applied subjects such as Computing, Exercise and Sports Science and Drama. Students can take these applied subjects as part of their O-Level subjects.
Your child’s interests may affect their school choice, as some subjects are only offered at certain schools.
Look up schoolsSyllabus
Chinese Language
- 2021 Mother Tongue Languages (Secondary) Syllabus (867KB)
- 2015 Chinese Special Programme (Secondary) Syllabus (1.5MB)
- 2011 Chinese Language (Secondary) Syllabus (3.9MB)
Chinese Literature
Malay Language
- 2021 Mother Tongue Languages (Secondary) Syllabus (900KB)
- 2011 Malay Language (Secondary) Syllabus (2.3MB)
Malay (Special Programme) – Malay as 3rd Language
Tamil Language
- 2021 Mother Tongue Languages (Secondary) Syllabus (900KB)
- 2011 Tamil Language (Secondary) Syllabus (9MB)
Tamil Literature
Computing
- 2021 O-Level Computing Syllabus (757KB)
- 2019 Computer Applications Syllabus (1.2MB)
Design and Technology
- 2019 D & T Upper Secondary Normal(Academic) Syllabus (491KB)
- 2017 D & T Lower Secondary Syllabus (492KB)
Electronics
Food and Consumer Education
- 2014 Food & Consumer Education (1.3MB)
Science
- 2021 Science (Lower Secondary Express / Normal (Academic)) Syllabuses (for 2021 Secondary 1 students) (990KB)
- 2013 Science (Lower Secondary Express / Normal (Academic)) Syllabuses (for 2021 Secondary 2 students) (635KB)
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Geography
- 2021 Geography (Lower Secondary) Syllabus (897KB)
- 2013 Geography (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (679KB)
- 2023 Geography (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.1MB)
History
- 2021 History (Lower Secondary) Syllabus (760KB)
- 2023 History (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.5MB)
- 2013 History (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.7MB)
Literature in English
- 2019 Literature in English (Lower and Upper Secondary) Syllabus (5.6MB)
- 2013 Literature in English (Lower and Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.7MB)
Social Studies
Learn more about the approved textbook list.
Note:
- Upper-secondary examination syllabuses are available on the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) website.
- Students can seek admission to certain secondary schools based on their talents in sports, CCAs or specific academic areas. If this applies to your child, learn more about Direct School Admission for secondary schools (DSA-Sec).